Tool - Undertow (Drum Cover)

Drum cover performed by Mike Malatino and produced by Midnite Media.
mikemalatino.com/
www.midnitemedi...
This is by far one of my favorite Tools songs of all time. The rhythm during the verses has always intrigued me. The hi-hat ostanato pattern juxtaposed against the kick drum pattern is a solid groove. I've always been a fan of the simple yet effective writing from this album. The middle section contrasts greatly with a very staccato 13/16 to 15/16 pattern, which when introduced the second time morphs into a unique breakdown and explosive second half. I really enjoyed learning this tune because of all the little details to remember. The outro changes things drastically with a fast paced triplet guitar pattern and the drums playing slightly ahead of the beat. I'm almost a bit sad the process for this song is over. I really enjoyed the experience of dissecting this tune and the struggle to get it smooth for you guys. Hope you enjoy!!
Special thanks to Steven Chandler for the guitar performances
(Disclaimer)
"I am not claiming any rights to this song. The Copywrite is owned by: EMI Virgin Music, Inc., & Toolshed Music - 1993

[@xx832ace7]

Kinda amazing the number of subs you have compared to the quality of your videos. These covers are absolutely fantastic. You deserve much more recognition. Easily some of the most accurate covers I've seen. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you for the kind words. Just because something is exceptional doesn’t always mean it’ll reach a lot of people. Still trying though.

[@alexdore3041]

Just saw this after posting my comment. You just gotta do more mainstream songs. The song selection you cover is great and what a drummer or guitarist would probably want to play but duh masses dont really know em

[@IepsyI]

You didn't miss a beat! Great work. Learned loads of the fills that have mystified me for years watching this. Excellent sense of dynamics too.

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you very much

[@mike4619]

At this point in his career, Danny was just hinting at the incredible musicianship that was to come. Great cover.

[@jerryd000]

OMG, definitely 1 one of my favorite drum covers of all time!! Awesome brother, seriously!!

[@Dan-ji4db]

Well this showed up in my recommended videos today 9 yrs later! Awesome job 😁🤘🏻

[@evyatarhadar8325]

That was fucking tight man! Love this album. Danny went all out in this one. Raw power.

[@brookslejeune7203]

Outstanding! I hate to focus on the negative here, but why the hell would ANYONE, much less 5 people, feel the need to dislike this video?

[@diamantschekter8281]

They're probably jealous

[@MikeMalatino]

If you’re not pissing someone off, you’re not doing it right.

[@benbhogal4551]

Finally a drummer who can play the hit hat beat! Nailed it bro, great job all around

[@CardPhantom]

Badass man!! Definitely one of my favorite songs and you performed it flawlessly!!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you!

[@janterrirocks]

I used to have that same shirt the guitar player is wearing. Loved it. Should have bought two! (oh yeah, also phenomenal playing!!)

[@TBone-zv3ql]

Always picking awesome tunes. Always making it look it easy. Great job man.

[@MikeMalatino]

LOL, Thank you very much. Most of these tunes I grew up with and are slightly outside my skill level. So I'm challenging myself to be a better drummer through conscious decision making. :-)

[@jaysonwilson2697]

That was grand. Very sharp sir

[@CatastrophicG]

Brilliant! Like a lot your energy and precision on this take.. also my fave Tool song!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thanks for noticing! 😎

[@Red-Eyed_Goose]

Lots of great parts & fills, but the rolls from 5:00 - 5:08 is my fav part of the song (recorded or this cover). 👍

[@kolaLoka_41]

3:28 Me encanta ese ritmo

[@kolaLoka_41]

0:35

[@Inthekitchenwithjorge]

Flawless man awesome cover you a great drummer

[@tkk73]

Wow. This is great.

[@alexdore3041]

Do more tool bro. That was fuckin awesome. I learned Disposable Heroes referencing you too btw. Thanks for that haha

[@R4ptor2]

Dude you’re nuts! Good job!

[@riaancoetzee100]

Excellent

[@MikeMalatino]

+Riaan Coetzee Thank you!

[@shaunwhelan17]

Great playing buddy!

[@evymeto]

great cover. nice editing too

[@EloquenteMente]

great!

[@JoshParkerDrums]

Hell yeah nice job man! I am learning this track to cover on my channel and your vid has really helped me decipher some of these drum parts from Danny so thank you

[@TheSonicDeviant]

Amazing! Thank you!

[@MikeMalatino]

No, Thank you! 😬

[@TheSonicDeviant]

Mike Malatino - Nah dude, be proud of that effort, even Danny Carey makes mistakes. I’m a reasonably advanced drummer who’s been playing for over 30 years, trust me this is a solid effort and near perfect. I only noticed two micro flam-timing errors that are barely noticeable. It’s inspired me so thank you!

[@MegaTrainwreck420]

Awesome playing and really solid camera shots!

[@MikeMalatino]

+Manowar Thank you!

[@jamesbekurs4683]

3:06 “ADHD superpowers: ACTIVATE!” 😂 Awesome cover!

[@maxadrums]

Challenging cover! Good job, buddy. Keep it up!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank you very much Max! And yes, it was challenging. :-)

[@maxadrums]

Challenging yourself is the best way to learn :) I like your style. Keep rocking!

[@JDCAMP32792]

Would love to see more Tool covers.

[@TheFeralEngineer]

clean 👌👌

[@StefanG5]

oh man ,your pace is really good!

[@MikeMalatino]

Stefan Gagnon Thank you! Out of all the videos i've done, this one felt the best!

[@Groosome128]

I have a similar drum and guitar setup and have been meaning to try something like this for ages. I guess there's still hope since the description says someone else did the guitar... I'll have to put in a lot of work to get either this good though ;)

[@anonymous_friend]

Well done! Great drum sound too. That snare roll at 3:58 sounds amazing. Can you speak more to your micing setup? What overheads. Also curious what cymbals and sizes you are using. They all blend nicely. You mentioned further below that you use a Kelly SHU to mount the kick mic, but you have a port in the center of the head. I'm just curious why you have the SHU if you can just mic it with a stand. Thanks man. Great job.

[@MikeMalatino]

My entire drum and mic setup is on mikemalatino.com. I use the Kelly SHU for ease of use. Just set the bass drum on the floor and plug the xlr in and it’s ready to go. The center hole in the reso head is to allow the drum to breath and allow the air to flow out of the drum to produce the sound I want, otherwise it would sound like a trash can with a solid reso head.

[@anonymous_friend]

Mike Malatino I checked your site, but didnt see your mic setup. Was interested in how you do your overheads for this kit

[@bards4027]

DOOOPE!

[@CDMAHTCDESIRE]

Hey man you did an amazing job!! Note for note.. the only small part that wasn't note for note was the last ride part ... there are small triplet diddles there..Great job!

[@MikeMalatino]

Yes, you are right. The diddles at that speed are really difficult. It’s the only thing about this video that I’m not satisfied with. 😞

[@ralphonsnowflakes8665]

Good for you Bro! 👏

[@AllThingsRen]

Ooh! I like it!!! Good job!

[@MikeMalatino]

+AllThingsRen Thank you very much!

[@Scot_With_One_T]

Woooooooooooooooow...

[@Naamionalle1]

Well played!

[@MikeMalatino]

Thank You!

[@sethstopa3055]

After falling in love with this track (all over again) this video gave me inspiration to start learning it. This is excellent to say the least. Amazing job! could i ask about your recording setup? most importantly the kick? its just enough without being too much!

[@MikeMalatino]

+Seth Stopa Thanks for the kind words. I'm using a Sennheiser e602 mounted on a Kelly SHU inside the kick drum. The batter head is an Evans EMAD2 with a large muffle ring. The reso head is a stock Yamaha/remo head with a 6inch port in the center of the head. Recording with ProTools and a Presonus 32.4.2. Hope that helps.

[@LetsGetHighOnMorris]

The fill at 2:41 is so fucking good!!! 🤘

[@TheSonicDeviant]

Did you transcribe this to learn it? And did you have a click in your ear buds when playing this?

[@MikeMalatino]

I’ve been listening to this album since I was a teenager, so transcribing wasn’t too difficult. No click, I was playing along to the original track in my ears. Thanks again!

[@TheSonicDeviant]

Mike Malatino - Nice one dude, thanks for the info. Do you still have the notation?

[@juan10ac]

Nice bro

[@pa-j-4331]

Dude wish I could play like that ..all I would do man

[@josephgonzabay4994]

Excelente esta super

[@mangie2178]

But how does one learn this power?

[@daleonov]

I like to do challenging stuff too =) Is this all yours? I mean all these microphones, amp and whole practice room

[@MikeMalatino]

Yes, it is. :-)

[@daleonov]

Oh, I see, cool setup!

[@MikeMalatino]

:-)

[@WerrinLotsuvhats]

you bass foot is boss man

[@MikeMalatino]

Thanks 👍

[@lpamo]

to any drummer out there... can someone explain to me wtf happens at 2:43??

[@MikeMalatino]

lpamo The tom fill is eighth note triplets.

[@alfondrum-drumcovers6433]

Hi man, would you have some partitures of this song to send me? thanks so much.

[@MikeMalatino]

Partitures??? Not sure what that is.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Holy shit Carl. Need some french fries taters?

[@smithnwesson990]

Danny Carey is the best modern prog/hevy drummer

[@MikeMalatino]

Gavin Harrison is pretty good too!

[@coldwynterwarmth]

drummer looks like sling blade....loves me some french fried taters and tool. Mmmhmmm